What Should You Do if You See Animal Cruelty? LifeLine Animal Project has the Answer

One of the saddest things we see at LifeLine Animal Project are animal victims of cruelty that come into our shelters. Many people are afraid to report cruelty, because they are worried about the abuser finding out they reported them and retaliating. However, abuse may be reported anonymously, and in addition to preventing the animal from a lifetime of suffering, reporting animal abuse may help prevent people from getting hurt.

Did you know that most animal abusers go on to hurt people? Up to 71% of domestic violence victims report that their abuser has threatened, harmed, or killed their pets, and this is just one more reason why animal abuses should be reported.

What does the law consider cruelty to animals? Under the Fulton County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 34-204, cruelty to animals:

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to overload, poison, cruelly treat, maim, tease, bruise, deprive of necessary sustenance or medical attention, improperly use, deprive of shade and shelter, or in any manner whatsoever, torture, kill, or abuse any animal.

(b) No person shall abandon any animal on any property, public or private, or keep an animal under unsanitary conditions.

(c) It shall be unlawful to transport any dog in an open bed truck except when safely confined in a portable kennel or safely restrained by a harness or tether.

To report animal cruelty in Fulton County, please call 404-613-0358. Chaining a dog is also illegal in Fulton County and should be reported. When you report animal cruelty, you may remain anonymous, the animal will receive medical attention by a veterinarian and one less animal will continue to suffer.

LifeLine’s Fulton County Pet of the Week: Allena

Our Pet of the Week is Allena, a very intelligent, very beautiful two-year-old girl who weighs 36 lbs. and loves to play. With one blue eye and one brown eye, and ears that are so pink they are almost translucent, this girl is striking. In addition to being pretty and the perfect size for any family, Allena is spunky and curious. She loves to play tug of war with other dogs, and enjoys sniffing around the play yard until she finds the perfect spot where she can lie down and enjoy the sunshine. Allena also qualifies for our “Home for the Pawlidays” special, where all dogs over 25 lbs. and all cats may be adopted for free! This includes her spay, vaccines and microchip too. Come meet this wonderful dog today by dropping by the shelter, emailing adoptions@fultonanimalservices.com or calling 404-613-0357. To view dogs or cats available for adoption, please visit the shelter at 860 Marietta Blvd NW, Atlanta, 30318 or go to www.fultonanimalservices.com/adopt.